(1) The owner of any vessel currently registered in this state may file an application for renewal of registration with the department, or its authorized agent in the county wherein the owner resides, any time during the 3 months preceding the date of expiration of the registration period.
(2) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the appropriate vessel registration fee and service charges required by s. 328.72 and any additional fees required by law, the department or its agents shall issue to the owner of the vessel a decal and registration. When the decal is affixed to the vessel, the registration is renewed for the appropriate registration period. (3) Any person who uses a vessel decal without lawful authority or who willfully violates any rule of the department relating to this section shall be punished as provided under this chapter.
